Odor masking composition and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A scent-masking mixture and method for making and using that mixture are disclosed. That scent masking mixture includes an “Earth Scent” fragrance, Eucalyptus essence, peppermint essence, rosemary essence, clove essence, and water. The majority of the scent-masking mixture may be water while the largest amount of active ingredient might be the “Earth Scent” fragrance. The scent-masking mixture beneficially includes equal amounts of Eucalyptus essence and rosemary essence. Preferably there is more peppermint essence than clove essence.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/800,422, filed on Feb. 25, 2020, which is in turn a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/004,096, filed on Jan. 22, 2016, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,639,392 on Jun. 5, 2020, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/106,412, filed on Jan. 22, 2015, the disclosures of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to masking scents. More particularly, it is directed to an odor-blocking mixture that is particularly well suited for masking scents during hunting or tracking game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many game animals have highly developed senses of smell that are far more acute than that of humans. No matter how well one may track a game animal, if the wind shifts towards the animal or if one gets close enough the animal can know you are there by your scent and quickly scurry away. Therefore, when hunting or tracking game it is imperative to reduce or to completely mask one's scent.

In view of the importance of reducing or masking one's scent, a scent masking mixture is highly desirable. Ideally such a mixture would be both effective and economical. Given the desire to avoid harsh and potentially dangerous chemicals it would be beneficial if that mixture was natural. Ideally that mixture would either totally mask a wearer's scent or provide a scent that mimics that of the natural world. Preferably such a scent masking mixture could be provided in bulk quantities as either a liquid that is capable of being sprayed or as a semi-solid or solid such as a balm that can be easily spread.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention provide for an effective, low cost mixture of natural ingredients that masks a user's scent or provides a scent that mimics that of the natural world. The inventive scent masking mixture can be provided in bulk quantities as either a sprayable liquid or as a semi-solid or solid that can be easily spread.

A scent-masking mixture in accord with the present invention includes an “Earth Scent” fragrance, Eucalyptus essence, peppermint essence, rosemary essence, clove essence, and water. The majority of the scent-masking mixture may be water while the largest amount of active ingredient might be the “Earth Scent” fragrance. The scent-masking mixture beneficially includes equal amounts of Eucalyptus essence and rosemary essence. Preferably there is more peppermint essence than clove essence.

A method of preparing a scent masking mixture in accord with the present invention includes combining an amount of Eucalyptus oil, an amount of peppermint oil, an amount of rosemary oil, an amount of clove oil, an amount of an “Earth Scent” fragrance, and an amount of water in a vessel, mixing the ingredients in the vessel, heating the ingredients in the vessel until steam is detected, and allowing the ingredients in the vessel to cool. That method of preparing a scent masking mixture can further include the step of transferring the cooled ingredients into a spray bottle. Preferably heating occurs at less than two hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (250° F.), beneficially at approximately two hundred thirty degrees Fahrenheit (230° F.).

In addition, the method can include the steps of adding coconut oil to the ingredients, adding beeswax to the ingredients, mixing the resulting mixture over medium heat until the appearance of steam vapors, removing the resulting mixture from heat, allowing the resulting mixture to solidify, and then cutting the resulting solid mixture into desired portions.

A solid version of a scent masking mixture according to the present invention can be made by combining Eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, clove oil, an “Earth Scent” fragrance, coconut oil, beeswax, and water in a vessel, mixing the ingredients in the vessel, heating the ingredients in the vessel, and cooling the ingredients to allow them to solidify. The solid scent masking mixture can then be cut into portions. Beneficially heating occurs at less than two hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (250° F.), preferably at approximately two hundred thirty degrees Fahrenheit (230° F.).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

What follows are descriptions of the components of a scent masking mixture, how to make that scent-masking mixture, and how to use that scent-masking mixture. However, the invention is not limited to what is specifically described. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention. Any such work around will also fall under the scope of this invention.

The terms “a” and “an” as used herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

The present invention describes a scent masking mixture that can be prepared and used as subsequently described. The preferred scent-masking mixture can be fabricated as a sprayable liquid using the following components:

Component Amount “Earth Scent” fragrance (beneficially water-based) 1 oz. Eucalyptus essence 40 drops Peppermint essence 20 drops Rosemary essence 40 drops Clove essence 10 drops Water 14 oz.

Thus the largest component of the mixture is water. The largest amount of active ingredient is the “Earth Scent” fragrance, followed by substantially equal amounts of Eucalyptus essence and Rosemary essence. There is more Peppermint essence than Clove essence.

The various essences can be purchased on the open market or extracted from base plants using any number of extraction techniques such as steam distillation, water distillation, expression, enfleurage, solvent extraction or any number of other techniques.

A suitable “Earth Scent” is available from Royal Supreme Foods Inc., Lakewood, N.J. Other suitable “Earth Scents” are readily available on the open market. The proper “Earth Scent” will depend on the location in which the mixture will be used as well as being tailored, such as by experience and trial and error, to the game being hunted or tracked.

Each fluid drop is understood as being a drop from a standard straight glass pipette type dropper such as those manufactured by Scientific Equipment of Houston or equivalent. There are about five-hundred ninety-one drops per fluid ounce of water (591 drop/fl. oz.).

Given the foregoing components the proper post-processing of the scent-masking mixture is very important and preferably should be performed as given below:

-   -   Placing all of the components into a heat-resistant vessel.     -   Mixing the components over a heat source to a temperature of         less than 250° F. and preferably at approximately two-hundred         thirty degrees Fahrenheit (230° F.) until the initial appearance         of steam vapors.     -   Removing the vessel from the heat source.     -   Allowing mixture to cool.

The scent-masking mixture at this stage is a liquid that can be transferred to another container such as a spray bottle. In fact, the preferred dispensation method is to use it as a spray from a spray bottle.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a solid scent-masking mixture. Obtaining a solid version of a scent-masking mixture according to the present invention may be achieved by performing the following additional processing steps:

-   -   Having the foregoing liquid mixture in a heat-resistant vessel.     -   Adding four ounces (4 oz.) of coconut oil.     -   Adding two tablespoons (2 Tbsp.) of beeswax.     -   Mixing the resulting mixture over medium heat until the         appearance of steam vapors.     -   Removing the resulting mixture from heat.     -   Allowing the resulting mixture to cool and solidify.     -   Cutting and dividing the resulting solid scent-masking mixture         into desired portions.

It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and while only two embodiments are described that is for the purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. Purchase or otherwise obtain the scent-masking mixture. The scent-masking mixture is envisioned as being made available where hunting supplies and consumer air freshener products are typically sold. After initial purchase the application of the scent-masking mixture is as follows: identifying surfaces to be treated with the scent-masking mixture such as clothing, traps, animals, various surfaces, and the like; using the spray bottle to manually apply the scent-masking mixture in an expected airborne manner; and, benefiting from a scent masking mixture which masks unwanted scents while enjoying hunting, trapping, and the like.

The sprayable liquid scent-masking mixture is understood to be especially useful for hunting or trapping. However, additional uses of the scent-masking mixture may include masking the scent of animals to provide protection during a period of estrus; masking various household odors; and masking the animal odors of pets or other animals.

The solid embodiment of the scent-masking mixture may be utilized by positioning a quantity of the solid scent-masking mixture at an indoor and/or outdoor location to initiate airborne emission of the corresponding masking odor to mask local airborne scents, as desired.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition that masks odors comprising Eucalyptus essence; peppermint essence; rosemary essence; clove essence; and, water, wherein the composition is a liquid formed by combining the Eucalyptus essence; peppermint essence; rosemary essence; clove essence; and water with heating at a temperature of less than 250° F. until steam is detected.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises water-based Earth scent fragrance.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the odors to mask are body or animal odors.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the odors to mask are household odors.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the odors to mask are from estrus.
 6. A cloth comprising the composition of claim 1, that can be used to cover the nose and mouth of a person or animal subject to the odors.
 7. Clothing comprising the composition of claim
 1. 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein coconut oil and beeswax are added to the composition of claim 1 and the resulting mixture is allowed to solidify by cooling into a solid form of the composition.
 9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the solid form of the composition is applied to an odor-emitting object or an odor-emitting location.
 10. A method of masking odors comprising applying a composition of claim 1 to an odor-emitting object or an odor-emitting location.
 11. A method of masking odors comprising applying a composition of claim 1 to a cloth or to clothing.
 12. The composition of claim 2, wherein the odors to mask are body or animal odors.
 13. The composition of claim 2, wherein the odors to mask are household odors.
 14. The composition of claim 2, wherein the odors to mask are from estrus.
 15. A cloth comprising the composition of claim 2, that can be used to cover the nose and mouth of a person or animal subject to the odors.
 16. Clothing comprising the composition of claim
 2. 17. The composition of claim 2, wherein coconut oil and beeswax are added to the composition of claim 2 and the resulting mixture is allowed to solidify by cooling into a solid form of the composition.
 18. The composition of claim 17, wherein the solid form of the composition is applied to an odor-emitting object or an odor-emitting location
 19. A method of masking odors comprising applying a composition of claim 2 to an odor-emitting object or an odor-emitting location.
 20. A method of masking odors comprising applying a composition of claim 2 to a cloth or to clothing. 